Former teacher takes deal in sex case

Former McPherson High School teacher and soccer coach Todd Brittingham was found guilty of endangering a child and furnishing alcohol to a minor on Tuesday in McPherson District Court.

Ken Ward, staff writer

Former McPherson High School teacher and soccer coach Todd Brittingham was found guilty of endangering a child and furnishing alcohol to a minor on Tuesday in McPherson District Court.
Kansas 9th Judicial District Judge Richard Walker accepted Brittingham’s plea of no contest to both counts as part of a deal struck between the prosecution and defense last week.
The first count, endangering a child, carries with it a maximum sentence of one year in the McPherson County Jail and a $2,500 fine. It is a class A misdemeanor.
The second count, furnishing alcohol to a minor, may result in up to six months in jail and is a class B misdemeanor. It carries a minimum fine of $200 and a maximum of $1,000.
As part of the agreement, Brittingham will lose his license to teach in Kansas and will pay restitution to the student’s family. While County Attorney David Page recommended Brittingham be put on immediate probation, Walker also may impose any of the fines or jail sentences associated with the two counts.
Sentencing in the case is scheduled for 10 a.m. Jan. 9.
Brittingham was first charged with four counts of unlawful sexual relations with a student in addition to the one count of furnishing alcohol to a minor. The counts of unlawful sexual relations were amended away and the charge of endangering a child pursued as part of the plea agreement.
The case’s charges followed a June 22, 2009, incident in which the female student allegedly began texting with Brittingham, who suggested she drive to Galva to meet him at his home at around 11 p.m. According to earlier testimony, the student said she already had been drinking when Brittingham encouraged her to drive to his home. Upon arrival, the student said she drank a great deal and became intoxicated, forgetting much of what happened later in the night.
She testified in 2010 she woke up the next morning on a couch in Brittingham’s house semi-dressed, vaguely remembering having had intercourse with him.
Testimony provided by the student earlier in court proceedings was not cited as contributing to the counts decided on Tuesday. They included a June 5, 2009, incident in which the student had earlier driven to Galva to engage in sexual relations with Brittingham, a May 19 incident in which sexual acts were performed in the girls locker room beneath the McPherson College stadium, and a July 9 incident, again beneath the stadium, in which the two began engaging in sexual acts but did not complete them.
Page said in court the agreement had been reached with the support of the student and her family. The deal came just days before the trial was set to go before a jury on Monday.